A criminal investigation could soon be underway after the medical examiner in the death of a man who died during surgery ruled the manner of death a homicide.
William Dale "Bill" Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals, died on the operating table while on vacation in Florida on August 18. Bryan had been feeling pain in his left side, so he went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital. Despite reservations, Bryan and his wife were talked into going forward with a splenectomy.
However, according to court documents, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky performed a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery and, instead of removing the spleen, went into the wrong side of the body and removed the liver, killing Bryan.
Attorney Joe Zarzaur is representing the family of William Dale "Bill" Bryan in a civil case.
SEE: Muscle Shoals man dies after Florida surgeon removes liver instead of spleen
"During this operation, Dr. Shaknovsky removed Mr. Bryan's liver and, in so doing, transected the major vasculature supplying the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death," Zarzaur stated.
Documents show after the surgery, the doctor labeled the liver as "spleen" and sent it off to pathology. A surgical pathologist discovered the discrepancy. Upon postmortem examination, Bryan's spleen was found in his body with a small cyst on its surface.
The attorney's office pointed out another wrong-site incident by the surgeon in 2023 that has since been settled.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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